Startup North: Canada’s Startup Ecosystems Are Growing, But Still Lag the Global Leaders

October 21, 2018

Competitiveness and Prosperity

By Richard Florida and Ian Hathaway

Canada, it is increasingly argued, has emerged as a leader for high-tech innovation and entrepreneurship. Global titans like Google and Microsoft have established outposts in Canada to harness the country’s leading artificial intelligence talent. As the United States has moved restrict immigration, Canada is seen by many as a preferred destination for global talent. Toronto placed fourth in one ranking of tech talent this past summer, behind only the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle and Washington DC, adding more tech jobs in 2017 than those three metros combined. Report after report have dubbed Canada and its leading centers, particularly Toronto, Waterloo, and Vancouver as among the world’s most up-and-coming tech hubs.